NEW DELHI, June 16: The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is instituting a special programme in consultation with the Defence Authorities to enable Agniveers who have passed class 10, to further their education and obtain a class 12 pass certificate by developing customized courses that are relevant to their area of service, according to Ministry of Education (MoE) officials.
The Ministry of Defence had on Tuesday unveiled the Agnipath scheme which is a pan India merit-based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers, airmen and sailors. Under the scheme, young persons will be provided an opportunity to serve in the armed forces as “Agniveer” for a period of 4 years including training period.
After completion of the four-year tenure of the recruits, the scheme provides for retaining 25 per cent of each specific batch for regular service, based on organisational requirements and policies promulgated by the armed forces from time to time.
Agniveers shall be recruited between the ages of 17.5 to 21 years. Candidates who are class 10 and 12 pass can apply for the recruitment process.
“The Ministry’s Department of School Education and Literacy through its autonomous institution, the National Institute of Open Schooling, is instituting a special programme in consultation with the Defence Authorities to enable those Agniveers who have passed class 10, to further their education and obtain a class 12 pass certificate by developing customized courses that are not only current but very relevant to their area of service,” a senior MoE official said.
“This certificate will be recognised for both employment and higher education purposes in the whole country. This will benefit the Agniveers to gain adequate educational qualification and skills to take up productive role in society later in life. The special programme of NIOS will facilitate enrolment, development of courses, student support, provision of self-learning material, accreditation of study centres, personal contact programme, evaluation and certification.
“Open schooling system of NIOS which is extremely user friendly and accessible to all from anywhere, anytime opens its doors to all the Agniveers under the Agnipath Scheme,” the official added.
The MoE had yesterday announced that it will launch a special three-year skill based bachelor degree programme for such defence personnel which will recognize the skill training received by them during their tenure in the defence establishments.
The degree programme offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) will be recognised both in India and abroad for employment and education. Army, Navy and Air Force will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IGNOU for implementation of the scheme, the officials said. (Agencies)
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